Margin stop arrangement for typewriters

ABSTRACT

A rack incorporates two spaced and parallel rows of teeth of different pitches corresponding to the two character spacings at which the type element can print. Two margin scales, one for each row of teeth, are vertically spaced. Two margin stops are mounted free to pivot, under control of a character spacing shift, to engage one or the other of the rows of teeth. A control bar for each margin stop engages and disengages the stop and moves the latter along the scales and teeth to the desired position. When the stop engages the desired row of teeth, it cooperates with the corresponding scale.

United States Patent [:91

Menzi 1 1 MARGIN STOP ARRANGEMENT FOR TYPEWRITERS [75] Inventor: UlrichMenzi, Yverdon, Switzerland [73] Assignee: Hermes Precisa InternationalS.A.,

Yverdon, Switzerland [22] Filed: Sept. 18, 1974 [21] Appl. No; 507,251

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 20, 1973 Switzerland13529/73 [52] US. Cl 197/63; 197/194 [51] Int. 841.1 21/02; B41J 21/18[58] Field of Search 197/63, 194

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 907,450 12/1908 Branson197/194 909,313 1/1909 Mosher 197/194 X 1,05 ,926 4/1913 Burnett 197/194UX 3,071,232 1/1963 Fondiller 197/63 1 Dec. 23, 1975 3,326,347 6/1967Danielson, Jr. 197/63 3,547,245 12/1970 Okcuoglu el al. 197/63 3,785,4711/1974 DOddS 197/63 3,834,508 9/1974 Rlih 197/63 Primary Examiner-PaulE. Shapiro Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Emory L. Groff, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A rack incorporates two spaced and parallel rows of teethof different pitches corresponding to the two character spacings atwhich the type element can print. Two margin scales, one for each row ofteeth, are vertically spaced. Two margin stops are mounted free topivot, under control of a character spacing shift, to engage one or theother of the rows of teeth. A control bar for each margin stop engagesand disengages the stop and moves the latter along the scales and teethto the desired position. When the stop engages the desired row of teeth,it cooperates with the corresponding scale.

13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 1 of23,927,754

U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet20f2 3,927,754

2:11. I f mi 4 4.;

MARGIN STOP ARRANGEMENT FOR TYPEWRITERS alternately cooperate witheither row of teeth and can be moved along a scale carrier having atleast two scales corresponding to the two character spacings.

Among the known margin stop arrangements for typewriters having twocharacter spacings are those that use a pivotally mounted rackincorporating teeth of two different pitches. When the pitch is changed,the rack is turned through 90; and the margin stops can only be movedhorizontally, parallel to the scale carrier. One inconvenience of thisarrangement owes chiefly to the fact that the two scales of the scalecarrier occupy the same horizontal line; consequently, when the typistwants to align the margin stop with the desired graduation, it isdifficult for her to find the correct scale.

An object of the invention is to eliminate this inconvenience and, atthe same time, to provide a margin stop arrangement that is simplifiedin construction and economical to manufacture.

The invention will be described with reference to the figures of thedrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of part of a typewriter incorporatingthe marginstop arrangement of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view, partly cut away, of what is shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the left margin stop;

FIG. 4 is a detail, on expanded scale, from FIG. 2, showing oneoperational position of the margin stop;

FIG. 40 corresponds to FIG. 4, but shows another operational position ofthe margin stop;

FIG. 5 is a top view, on expanded scale, of a detail of FIG. 4.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a carriage l of a type head, ortype element 2, which a mechanism of known construction, not shown,moves parallel to the platen, also not shown. Left and right marginstops, respectively designated generally by the reference numerals 3 and4, are free to be moved along a margin scale carrier 5 that is graduatedwith two scales: an upper scale 6 and a lower scale 7 that arerespectively graduated in tenths of an inch and tewlfths of an inch.

The margin stops 3 and 4 can also be moved along a rack 8 incorporatingan upper row 9 and a lower row 10 of teeth of which the pitchesrespectively correspond to the aforesaid graduations of the scales 6 and7. The rack 8 comprises a unitary piece, the parallel and facing rows ofteeth 9 and 10 being cut in an opening ll of this piece. A characterspacing shift has an elongated plate 12, which in cross-section has thegeneral appearance of a try square so as to form a horizontal tongue 13that engages each of the margin stops 3 and 4. The spacing shift 12 isarranged parallel to, and behind, the rack 8. The latter and the shiftl2 are mounted on two pins 14 and I5 that are fixed to the left andright walls, 16 and 17 respectively, of the rear frame of thetypewriter. The shift incorporates two inclined slots 18 and 19, one ateach end, in the interiors of which are engaged a respective one of thepins 14 and 15. By means of a known mechanism, not shown,

the shift 12 can slide along these slots 18 and I9, moving to the leftor to the right, as indicated by the double headed arrow in FIG. 1, andwhereby respectively falling or rising. Movement to the left is madeagainst the force of a return spring 20 fixed at one end to the shift 12and at the other end to the wall 16. The force of this spring holds theshift in its rightward and upper position, as shown in FIG. 1. Whenmoved, the tongue I3 of the shift 12 takes hold of each margin stop 3and 4, so that the latter cooperates with either the upper teeth 9 orthe lower teeth 10 of the rack 8, in dependence on whether the shift 12is in its right or left position.

Each margin stop incorporates a guide 21 having two stirrups 22 thatpermit the margin stop to slide along and to pivot about, a rod 23 thatextends parallel to the rack 8 and the scale carrier 5. Each guide 2!incorporates a lateral slot that is engaged by the tongue 13 of theshift 12, as shown in FIG. 4. Each guide 21 carries a plate 24 having aninclined part to which is fixed a margin stop indicator 25, which can bemoved along either of the scales 6 and 7. The plate 24 is between arespective upper and lower plate 26 and 27 incorporating a respectivefinger 28 and 29 that engages the upper and lower teeth 9 and 10,respectively, of the rack 8. The two plates 26 and 27 are rivetedtogether and are free to slide as a unit along a longitudinal slot 30provided in the plate 24, as shown in FIG. 4. The shape of the lowerplate 27 is identical to that of the upper plate 26, but it also has astop 31. A tension spring 32, fixed to this stop, urges the finger 28 toengage the teeth 9, or finger 29 to engage the teeth 10, as will be madeclear following.

The horizontal movement of the plates 26 and 27 is caused by means of acontrol bar 33 carrying a finger grip 34, there being a respective barand grip for each margin stop. The control bar 33 incorporates twocurved feet 35 that partly encircle the rod 23. The bar can be movedhorizontally in the direction of the arrow F (FIG. 4), when the grip 34is pushed. As the bar 33 moves, it takes with it the two plates 26 and27, because the vertical bend 36 of the bar pushes against a shoulder 37of the plate 26. In order to change the position of a margin stop, it isonly necessary to push on the finger grip 34. The set of plates 26 and27 which the spring 32 holds in one of the rows ofteeth 9 and 10 of therack 8 are disengaged from the teeth against the bias of spring 32, sothat the freed margin stop can be slid along the rod 23 to the desiredposition.

Each margin stop incorporates a nose, not shown, that cooperates with ashoulder, likewise not shown, provided on the carriage 1, so that themargin can be fixed by limiting the movement of the carriage. Themaximum transverse movement of the latter is fixed by respective leftand right end stops 43.

The rack 8 incorporates two elongated slots 38 that are engaged by therespective fixed pins 14 and 15. Consequently, the rack 8 is free tomove longitudinally against the force of a return spring 39 fixed to thewall 17. A claw 40 is pivotally mounted on the right pin IS, the clawend 4] resting against a stop 42 provided in the rear frame of thetypewriter.

When the carriage l strikes the left stop 43, the rack 8 shifts slightlyto the left, causing the claw 40 to pivot on the right pin 15, since therack is engaged is the rear frame. This movement interrupts the returnof the carriage by a known mechanism, not shown.

The spacing between typed characters is changed simply by moving theshift [2 to the left or right. As a consequence of the inclination ofthe slots 38, the height of the tongue 13 is lowered or raised. Theverti cal movement of the tongue causes the margin stops 3 and 4 topivot on the rod 23, and to take the lower position, shown in brokenline in FIG. 2, when the lower scale 7 is to be used. The margin stopindicators 25 follow this movement, shifting from level A to level B. Atthe same time, the finger 28 is freed from the upper teeth 9 of the rack8, and the finger 29 engages the lower teeth 10.

In addition to the margin stop indicators 25, there is provided, in aknown manner, a printing point indicator 25' that is fixed to thecarriage l and moves along the margin scale carrier 5.

It is apparent that the character spacing shift permits the carriage lto move as a function of the pitch of the respective teeth 9 and 10 ofthe rack. It is also apparent that the vertical movement of the marginstops enables the typist to read the two scales at two distinctlydifferent levels, which fact greatly facilitates their being read andeliminates any chance of error.

Although the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to the preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art willunderstand that the invention admits of changes in form and detailwithout exceeding the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A margin stop arrangement for typewriter having a type elementintended for printing with at least two different spacings between thecharacters, rack means with at least two different sets of teeth ofdifferent pitch, a margin scale carrier graduated with at least twodifferent scales corresponding to the different character spacings, atleast one margin stop for cooperating with said sets of teeth, andwherein the improvement comprises that said rack means, has alongitudinal opening, first and second said sets of teeth, each set of adifferent pitch, being so incorporated in said opening that they faceeach other; means for vertically moving said margin stop between a firstposition and a second position, said margin stop in said first positioncooper ating with the first set of teeth and in said second positionwith the second set of teeth; and further wherein the scales of saidscale carrier include first and second scales, the graduations of whichcorrespond respectively to the pitches of said first and second sets ofteeth, said first and second scales being spaced apart a verticaldistance proportional to the vertical spacing between the first andsecond positions of said margin stop, whereby the vertical movement ofsaid margin stop and the vertical spacing between said first moves saidindicator an amount equal to second scales enables the typist to readthe latter more easily and without confusion.

2. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein saidmargin stop includes guide means for pivotally mounting the latter freeto move between said first and second positions; support means for saidguide means for supporting the latter free to pivot and to movelaterally, whereby the typist can move said margin stop along saidcarrier scale and said first and second sets of teeth; and furtherwherein said means for vertically moving said margin stop includescharacter 4 spacing shift means for cooperating with said means forcausing the latter to pivot under control of the typist.

3. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 2, further includingfirst and second plates engaging corresponding ones of said first andsecond sets of teeth, in dependence on whether said margin stop is insaid first or second position; and control means for disengaging theengaged one of said first and second plates and moving the latter andsaid guide means along said first and second sets of teeth forreengaging the desired set of teeth, as determined by the verticalposition of said margin stop, at the desired place.

4. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 3, further includingmeans for rigidly fixing the relative position between said first andsecond plates.

5. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 4, wherein said firstand second plates are of substantially the same size and shape and aresuperimposed.

6. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 3, wherein saidcontrol means includes means for mounting said control means on saidsupport means free to move to engage and disengage alternately saidfirst and second plates in corresponding ones of said first and secondsets of teeth and free to move said first and second plates, when bothare disengaged, along first and second sets of teeth for reengaging thedesired set of teeth.

7. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 6, wherein said firstand second sets of teeth are substantially parallel rows, and saidsupport means is a rod that extends substantially parallel to said scalecarrier and to said first and second sets of teeth.

8. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 6, further includingresilient means for urging one of said first and second plates into thecorresponding one of said first and second sets of teeth.

9. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein saidcharacter spacing shift means includes an elongated plate; and mountingmeans for holding said plate free to move between positions X and Y,respectively corresponding to said first and second positions of saidmargin stop.

10. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 9, wherein saidpositions X and Y lie at least approximately in the plane defined bysaid plate; and said character spacing shift means includes a pair ofspaced slots in said plate and a respective stationary pin on saidmounting means engaged in each slot, said pair of slots being inclinedwhereby when said plate is moved between said positions X and Y it movesa vertical distance sufficient to cause said margin stop to pivotbetween said first and second positions.

11. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 10, wherein saidplate and said rack are substantially parallel.

12. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 10, furtherincluding resilient means for urging said character spacing means to oneof said positions X and Y.

13. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 2, wherein there area plurality of margin stops, and a respective said means for moving eachmargin stop.

* a: a a:

1. A margin stop arrangement for typewriter having a type elementintended for printing with at least two different spacings between thecharacters, rack means with at least two different sets of teeth ofdifferent pitch, a margin scale carrier graduated with at least twodifferent scales corresponding to the different character spacings, atleast one margin stop for cooperating with said sets of teeth, andwherein the improvement comprises that said rack means, has alongitudinal opening, first and second said sets of teeth, each set of adifferent pitch, being so incorporated in said opening that they faceeach other; means for vertically moving said margin stop between a firstposition and a second position, said margin stop in said first positioncooperating with the first set of teeth and in said second position withthe second set of teeth; and further wherein the scales of said scalecarrier include first and second scales, the graduations of whichcorrespond respectively to the pitches of said first and second sets ofteeth, said first and second scales being spaced apart a verticaldistance proportional to the vertical spacing between the first andsecond positions of said margin stop, whereby the vertical movement ofsaid margin stop and the vertical spacing between said first moves saidindicator an amount equal to second scales enables the typist to readthe latter more easily and without confusion.
 2. The margin stoparrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said margin stop includesguide means for pivotally mounting the latter free to move between saidfirst and second positions; support means for said guide means forsupporting the latter free to pivot and to move laterally, whereby thetypist can move said margin stop along said carrier scale and said firstand second sets of teeth; and further wherein said means for verticallymoving said margin stop includes character spacing shift means forcooperating with said means for causing the latter to pivot undercontrol of the typist.
 3. The margin stop arrangement as defined inclaim 2, further including first and second plates engagingcorresponding ones of said first and second sets of teeth, in dependenceon whether said margin stop is in said first or second position; andcontrol means for disengaging the engaged one of said first and secondplates and moving the latter and said guiDe means along said first andsecond sets of teeth for reengaging the desired set of teeth, asdetermined by the vertical position of said margin stop, at the desiredplace.
 4. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 3, furtherincluding means for rigidly fixing the relative position between saidfirst and second plates.
 5. The margin stop arrangement as defined inclaim 4, wherein said first and second plates are of substantially thesame size and shape and are superimposed.
 6. The margin stop arrangementas defined in claim 3, wherein said control means includes means formounting said control means on said support means free to move to engageand disengage alternately said first and second plates in correspondingones of said first and second sets of teeth and free to move said firstand second plates, when both are disengaged, along first and second setsof teeth for reengaging the desired set of teeth.
 7. The margin stoparrangement as defined in claim 6, wherein said first and second sets ofteeth are substantially parallel rows, and said support means is a rodthat extends substantially parallel to said scale carrier and to saidfirst and second sets of teeth.
 8. The margin stop arrangement asdefined in claim 6, further including resilient means for urging one ofsaid first and second plates into the corresponding one of said firstand second sets of teeth.
 9. The margin stop arrangement as defined inclaim 2, wherein said character spacing shift means includes anelongated plate; and mounting means for holding said plate free to movebetween positions X and Y, respectively corresponding to said first andsecond positions of said margin stop.
 10. The margin stop arrangement asdefined in claim 9, wherein said positions X and Y lie at leastapproximately in the plane defined by said plate; and said characterspacing shift means includes a pair of spaced slots in said plate and arespective stationary pin on said mounting means engaged in each slot,said pair of slots being inclined whereby when said plate is movedbetween said positions X and Y it moves a vertical distance sufficientto cause said margin stop to pivot between said first and secondpositions.
 11. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim 10,wherein said plate and said rack are substantially parallel.
 12. Themargin stop arrangement as defined in claim 10, further includingresilient means for urging said character spacing means to one of saidpositions X and Y.
 13. The margin stop arrangement as defined in claim2, wherein there are a plurality of margin stops, and a respective saidmeans for moving each margin stop.